Storage unit for boxes having open tops



Jan. 10, 1967 D. M. PEEBLES 3,297,385

STORAGE UNIT FOR BOXES HAVING OPEN TOPS Filed April 27, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 1 7 INVENTOR DAVID MEADE PEEBLES FlG.l

ATTORNEY BY WMJW Jan. 10, 1967 D. M. PEEBLES 3,297,385

STORAGE UNIT FOR BOXES HAVING OPEN TOPS Filed April 27, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 2 HIM NH l 11 j 31 32 r ,5- INVENTOR DAVID MEADE PEEBLESFIG. 5 B? 5. (77M ATTORNEY 3,297,385 STORAGE UNIT FOR BOXES HAVING OPENTOPS David Meade Peebles, 325 Marcy Ave., Oxon Hill, Md. 20021 FiledApr. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 451,213 2 Claims. (Cl. 312-270) This inventionrelates to improvements in storage devices.

Storage units are available on the market which consist of sturdy steelframes having spaced shelves and storage boxes in various sizes whichfit the shelves. The storage boxes are customarily formed of fiberboard.These boxes usually have slip covers or lids which are spaced only aslight distance from the next-uppermost shelf when the boxes are inplace on the shelves with the lids upon them. Consequently, it isnecessary to bodily remove each box from its shelf and to bodily removethe lid or cover of each box in order to gain access to the interiorthereof. This is annoying and time-consuming and detracts from theutility of the storage unit. Never theless, the lids are necessary inmany instances where it is required to keep dust and the like out of theboxes and to protect the contents thereof from soiling.

It is the object of this invention to provide a storage unit in whichstorage shelves and boxes are employed, but in which there is nonecessity for providing covers or lids on the boxes because of theprovision of novel means constituting a part of the shelving for sealingthe open tops of the boxes while they are in place upon the shelves.

More specifically, according to the invention, the storage unit embodiesa number of storage compartments, each adapted to receive an open topbox or boxes, together with yielding surface means on either the top orbottom of the compartment allowing the compartment to receive the boxsnugly and to seal the same and yet allowing the ready removal thereofwhen necessary.

Another object is to provide an improved storage unit which isdust-proof, rugged and durable, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparentduring the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a storage unit embodying theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken on line 2-2of FIGURE 1 and depicting the placement of one box in a compartment ofthe unit, a second box being shown in the covered and sealed position;

FIGURE 3 is a View similar to FIGURE 2 showing a modification of theinvention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE 2 showing anothermodification; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 showing still anothermodification.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shownpreferred embodiments of the invention, attention is directed first toFIGURES l and 2,. wherein the numeral designates a preferably steelstorage frame or rack in its entirety, which is conventional inconstruction. The rack 10 comprises any preferred number of verticallyspaced horizontal shelves 11, rigidly secured to the vertical members 12of the rack in any preferred or conventional manner. The several shelves11 may be equidistantly spaced vertically or they may be variablyspaced, if preferred.

The several compartments 13 of the storage rack formed by the spacedshelves 11 are adapted to receive removably a desired number of open toprectangular storage boxes United States Patent 0 3,297,385 Patented Jan.10, 1967 14, 15, 16 and 17 whose widths or sizes may vary fromcompartment-to-compartment, as shown in FIGURE 1, or whose size may bestandard throughout the storage unit, if preferred. These boxes may beformed of fiberboard or any other durable lightweight material includingplastic or sheet metal. Each box is preferably provided with a graspingelement 18 on its forward side to facilitate removal forwardly from thecompartment which holds it. As shown in the drawings, the boxes are of aheight to extend substantially from the top of one shelf to the bottomof the next-uppermost shelf of the storage rack. In effect, as shown inthe drawings, the several boxes while in the storage position occupysubstantially the entire volume of the rack or unit, so that no space iswasted.

With continued reference to FIGURES l and 2, means are provided on therack 10 in association with the shelves 11 to seal the open tops of thestorage boxes 14, etc. during use so that the same will be substantiallydust-proof and also secure upon the shelves. As shown in FIGURE 2, thismeans may comprise an upwardly yielding surface 19 or plate on thebottom of each shelf 11, having bonded thereto a backing pad 20 ofcompressible material such as sponge rubber, rubber-like material, orcertain wellknown foam plastics. In any event, the element 20 isyielding and permits the necessary degree of upward displacement of thesurface or plate 19 when one or more of the storage boxes is to beintroduced into a compartment 13 between adjacent shelves of the rack.Prior to such introduction, in the manner depicted in FIGURE 2, theactual space between each plate 19 and the underlying shelf 11 isslightly less than the height of the box 14, etc. When the plate 19yields upwardly due to introduction of the box into the chamber 13, thebox will slide snugly into the compartment and the plate 19 will coverand effectively seal the top of the box, as shown clearly in the lowerportion of FIGURE 2. To further facilitate the easy entry of each boxinto its compartment, the forward edge of the yielding .plate 19 isprovided with a smoothly rounded lip 21.

The underlying shelf 11 is substantially rigid or unyielding, whereaseach plate 19 may yield upwardly to the extent permitted by the smallgap 22 between it and the downturned flanges of the adjacent shelf 11.The extent of movement of the plate 19 is sufficient to allow completeentry of the box 14 into the compartment 13. The downturned flanges onthe shelves 11, FIGURE 2, constitute positive stop elements to limitupward movement of the plates 19 when the boxes 14 are fully insertedinto their compartments. The yielding pressure of the pad 20 undercompression is adequate to form a firm and completely dust-proof sealwith the open top of the box 14 after the box is completely insertedinto the compartment 13, as illustrated by the lower portion of FIGURE2. The plate 19 is preferably cemented to the bottom of the pad 20 andthe latter may be adhesively secured to the overlying shelf 11. Othermeans of attachment may be employed, if desired. The arrangement doesnot interfere with the easy removal of the storage boxes from the rack.

The construction is particularly useful in connection with the storageof clothing, blankets and the like which it is desired to protect fromdust, moisture and moths. Valuable paper documents are also protected bythe sealing arrangement from the effects of moisture, mildew and thelike. It is thought that the storage unit constructed according toFIGURES l and 2 will have a wide range of utility and that the varioususes of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIGURE 3 of the drawings shows a slight modification wherein a storagerack 10' includes spaced compartments 13' corresponding to thecompartments 13. The identical storage boxes 14, 15, etc., are utilized.The structure differs from the first-described embodiment only in thatthe bottom surface 23 or wall of each compartment 13' is the yieldingsurface rather than the top surface, as in the prior embodiment. InFIGURE 3, the bottom member 24 of each shelf is fixed or rigid and theplate or member defining the surface 23 is adapted to yield downwardly,as shown in FIGURE 3, when the open top storage box 14 is introducedinto the compartment 13. Each plate 23 has a downturned rounded lip 25at the mouth of the compartment 13' to ease the entry of the box 14 intothe compartment. Each plate 23 is adhesively secured to an underlyingresilient compressible pad 26 which may be identical to thepreviouslyilescribed pad 20. Each pad 26 is supported by the fixed plateor member 24 beneath it. As in the previously-described embodiment, thecompartment 13' is initially and normally slightly shallower than theheight of the box 14 so that the top of the box will be firmly sealedafter the compartment expands to receive the box, as shown at the lowerportion of FIGURE 3. In all other respects, the construction and mode ofoperation in FIGURE 3 is identical to the first-described embodiment.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a further modification wherein the top wall of eachstorage compartment 27 of the multiple compartment unit is formed by acompressible pad 28 which is cemented to the adjacent fixed shelf 29.The bottom surface of each pad 28 carries an integral skin or layer 30of cured plastic or the like which is smooth and relatively stiff andadapted to form a good sealing surface for engagement with the top ofthe storage box. The surface 30 readily yields upwardly when the box isintroduced into the compartment 27 and like the other forms of theinvention, the pad 28 presses the surface 30 to firm sealing contactwith the upper edges of the box 14 around the entire margin of the boxto protect the contents thereof.

FIGURE shows still another modification, wherein the box sealing surfaceof each storage compartment 31 consists of a plate 32 urged downwardlyby springs 33 which have their upper ends engaging the fixed shelves 34of the unit. The plate 32 has the previously-described rounded lip 35and the plate 32 may shift upwardly as the box 14 enters the compartment31 and the springs will hold the plate in sealing contact with the opentop of the box as in the other embodiments.

The constructions shown in FIGURES 4 and 5 may also be employed at thebottoms of the storage compartments rather than at the tops, ifpreferred. Various other yielding surface arrangements in addition tothose shown in the drawings may be employed including various types ofsprings and various forms of compressible resilient pads.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shownand described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, andthat various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scopeof the subjoined claims.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed is:

1. A storage unit comprising vertical corner members constituting legs,horizontal vertically spaoed substantially rigid shelves secured rigidlyto the legs and forming therewith a multiple compartment shelf-typestorage structure, resilient compressible pads secured to the bottomfaces of the shelves and substantially coextensive therewith andprojecting below the bottoms of the shelves when in an uncompressedcondition, flat substantially rigid plates secured to the bottom facesof said compressible pads and being vertically movable relative to theshelves when the pads are compressed upwardly, downturned flanges on thelongitudinal edges of the shelves engageable with said plates topositively limit upward displacement thereof, and a plurality of opentop storage boxes adapted to slidably enter said compartments betweenadjacent shelves and said plates and being of a vertical height to causecompression of said pads upwardly and upward displacement of said platesupon entry into the compartments between the shelves, said platescompletely covering the open tops of said boxes and fi-rmly sealing theopen tops.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, wherein said pads are formed offoamed rubber-like material and adhesively secured to the bottom facesof the shelves, said plates adhesively secured to the bottom faces ofthe pads.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 837,224 11/1906Holcomb 206-12 2,674,511 4/ 1954 Minor 312-270 X 2,710,694 6/1955 Carr21 l76 FOREIGN PATENTS 883,050 7/ 1953 Germany.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A STORAGE UNIT COMPRISING VERTICAL CORNER MEMBERS CONSTITUTING LEGS,HORIZONTAL VERTICALLY SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID SHELVES SECURED RIGIDLYTO THE LEGS AND FORMING THEREWITH A MULTIPLE COMPARTMENT SHELF-TYPESTORAGE STRUCTURE, RESILIENT COMPRESSIBLE PADS SECURED TO THE BOTTOMFACES OF THE SHELVES AND SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE THEREWITH ANDPROJECTING BELOW THE BOTTOMS OF THE SHELVES WHEN IN AN UNCOMPRESSEDCONDITION, FLAT SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID PLATES SECURED TO THE BOTTOM FACESOF SAID COMPRESSIBLE PADS AND BEING VERTICALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE TO THESHELVES WHEN THE PADS ARE COMPRESSED UPWARDLY, DOWNTURNED FLANGES ON THELONGITUDINAL EDGES OF THE SHELVES ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID PLATES TOPOSITIVELY LIMIT UPWARD DISPLACEMENT THEREOF, AND A PLURALITY OF OPENTOP STORAGE BOXES ADAPTED TO SLIDABLY ENTER SAID COMPARTMENTS BETWEENADJACENT SHELVES AND SAID PLATES AND BEING OF A VERTICAL HEIGHT TO CAUSECOMPRESSION OF SAID PADS UPWARDLY AND UPWARD DISPLACEMENT OF SAID PLATESUPON ENTRY INTO THE COMPARTMENTS BETWEEN THE SHELVES, SAID PLATESCOMPLETELY COVERING THE OPEN TOPS OF SAID BOXES AND FIRMLY SEALING THEOPEN TOPS.